RUGBY may often be seen as a man’s game - but the new head coach at Hinckley RFC is determined to prove that isn’t always the case.

Vicky MacQueen has taken over the reins at the Leicester Road club and is ready to hit the ground running with promotion as her number one target.

The 32-year-old knows that many be surprised to see a woman in charge of a mens rugby team, however she is concentrating on one thing and one thing only - doing her best for Hinckley RFC.

MacQueen said: “I am just really positive about it all and the guys here have been really supportive.

“I had been coaching the Colts side last year having done my level two training, with my levels three then also done this year, and Paul Walsh (director of rugby) asked me if I wanted to be the head coach for the first team and I wasn’t going to turn it down.

“I was part of the coaching team here anyway which is really strong and there are seven other good coaches here. Everything is in place and I just want to get cracking now.

“We have got high hopes and aspirations and are going to be aiming for the top three. Obviously we are going to go for the top spot, but the top three is the first aim.

“The changes and new additions we’ve made to both playing and coaching units will give us every chance next season – it’s up to us whether we take that chance.”

One of those changes to the coaching staff is the addition of Chris Campbell, an RFU level three coach who has joined the club from Midlands 1 outfit Loughborough.

And MacQueen is delighted that Hinckley has regained its ability to attract the best talent for both the playing field and the training ground.

MacQueen said: “With all the new investment and time put into the club, these are exciting times at the moment. The people who were already here were doing that anyway but now the message is spreading further afield and the word has got out about Hinckley.

“It is a really big team effort here and that is what makes us a strong club.”

Campbell said: “The club’s vision and ambition were key in my decision to leave Loughborough, even though I’d had three really good years there. It’s clear that we have the potential at Hinckley to really go places over the next four or five years and I’m excited at the thought of being part of such a professional set-up.”

Director of rugby Paul Walsh will take charge of the newly named Staghounds XV on Saturdays which has been formed as a replacement for the old second team to offer young players a pathway to first team rugby.

Walsh said: “It’s really important that we give good young players the chance to feel valued and to achieve their full potential. We are going to give the Staghounds top priority and I’m really looking forward to working with them.”

Pre-season training starts this Saturday at Leicester Road and will include fitness testing and assessment for all Colts and senior players.

All players should meet at the club at 10am and be ready for a 10.30am start. After that, sessions will be held every Tuesday and Thursday evening until the opening league game on September 1.